Rotating internal-combustion engine



I. I. WALK.

ROTATING INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINE.

APPLICATION FILED MAY 28, I9|9.

Patented June 22, 1920.

4 SHEETS-SHEET l.

1. J. WALK. ROTATING INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINE.)

APPLlcATlou FILED MAY2B,1919.

1,344,158. Pmnuunezz, 1920.

4 SHEETS- SHEET 2.

IXY

www

I. I. WALK.

ROTATING INTERNAL COMBUSTION. ENGINE.

APPLICATION FILED MAY 28, I9I9.

1920. SHEET 3.

Patented June 22 l 4 SHEETS- E913.

ATTORNEYS 1.1. WALK.

ROTATING LNTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINE.

0n l mf, f@ J APPLICATION FILQED MAY 28. 1919.

Patented J une 22 PATENT OFFICE.

JASPER J. WALK, OF OAKLAND, CALIFB'NIA.

ROTATING INTERNAL-COMBUSTION ENGINE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

v Patented J une 22, 1920'.

1 Application filed May 28, 1919. Serial No. 300,301.

To all whom. 'it may concern:

Be it known that I, JASPER J. VALK, a citizen of the United States, residing at Oak-` land, in the county of Alameda and. State 0f California, have invented new and useful Improvements in Rotating Internal-Combustion Engines, of which the following is a specification. y

This invention relates to an internal combustion engine and especially to an engine .of the rotating type.

One of the objects of the present invention is to provide a compact, liglit-weiglit, internal combustion engine of the rotating type. in which both the cylinders and shaft revolve and which, while adapted to operate on the two-cycle principle, is in this instance particularly constructed for lfour-cycle operation'.

Another object of the invention is to provide an engine of the character described, in which the pistons during their entire stroke, travel on a line substantially at right angles to the cranks, thus eliminating dead centers and furthermore obtaining a constant maximum leverage during the entire compression and working stroke of the respective cylinders. i

Another object of the invention is to provide an engine-of the rotating type which is reversible.

Another object of the invention is to provide a novel cam movement for the operation of the ehaust and inlet valves, said cam movement being operable whether the engine is rotating in one direction or another.

Another object of the invention is to provide a novel form of ignition mechanism.

Further objects will hereinafter appear.

The invention consists of the parts and the construction, combination and arrangement of parts as hereinafter more fully described and claimed, having reference to the accompanying drawings, in which- Figure 1 is a side elevation of the engine.

Fig.' 2 is a .sectional detail view of the clutch mechanism.

Fig. 3 is a view similar to Fig. 2, showing other parts of the mechanism in section.

Fig. 4 is a detail view of the clutch-shifting tube.

Fig. 5 is fa side elevation of the engine,

looking at the opposite side from that shown in Fig. 1.

Fig. 6 is a sectional detail View of the starting mechanism.

D Fig7l is a diagrammatic View of the ignition circuit.

'Fig. 8 is a vertical cioss section of the e11- ging taken on the line of the inletvalves.

Fig. 9 is a similar section showing the clutch disks and fly-wheel 'in full and also showing the connecting rods and arms between tlie pistons and section.

Fig. 10 is a detail view of a. portion of the ignition mechanism.

Fig. 11 is a detail view of one of the roller clutches, showing one position thereof.

Fig. lf2 .is a similar view showing the opposite position of one of the clutch rollers.

Fig. 13.is a detail view of a portion of the central bearing ring showing one of the slots through which the roller clutch tubes extend.

Fig. 14 is a central, vertical, longitudinal section through the engine.

Fig. 15 is a detail view showing the position of the exhaust and .inlet valves with relation to their respective cylinders, and also showing the position of the cam rings with relation to the respective valves.

Fig. 16 is a detail sectional view showing the position of the cam rings, with relation to the respective exhaust and inlet valve stems.

Figs. 17, 18 and 1-9 are diagrammatic views showing the progressive .movement of the pistons with relation to the cylinders and the cylinders with relation to the pistons. Fig. 17 shows the pistons 12 in position to advance when the charge in cylinder 29 is fired. Fig. 18 shows the position of the pistons after the advancement or stroke has been completed, and Fig. 19, the position of the cylinders after advancement. Full line arrows indicate the direction of movement and dotted line arrows, the direction in which both'pistons and cylinders are locked against retrograde movement.

'Referring to the drawings in detail, and particularly Figs. 8, 9 and 10, A indicates a base plate on which is mounted a pair of' standards 2 'and 3. Rigidly secured in the upperfend of the standard 2 is a hub member 4 and similarly secured in. the upper end of the standard 3 is a hub member 5. Formed on the inner end of each hub member is a lclutcli disk 6 and extending through the hub members and journaled therein, is a driving shaft 7 upon which is secured a ilywheel 8.

Journaled on the fly-wheel and centrally v thereof is -a bearing ring 9 and rigidly secured to said bearing ring are a plurality of piston arms 10, the outer ends of which are T-shaped to form piston rods 11, on the outer ends of whichare rigidly secured pistons 12. Formed on the inner end of each hub member 4 and 5 are roller or ball bearings, as indicated at 14, and turnably mounted thereon is a cylinder supporting frame which consists of arms 15, in the outer ends of which are secured doubleended cylinders, as indicated at 16.

By referring to Fig. 1, it can be seen that each set of cylinders form a segment of a circle. Further, that the cylinder chambers formed in the respective cylinders are arcular in shape and also that the 'pistons fitting the same are arcular in shape and rigidly connected by arcuated arms, as indicated at 11. It can further be seen that the cylinders are arranged in circular formation, thereby imparting a ily-wheel appearance to the engine as a whole.-

Theengine is designed to rotate in either direction, the rotatingparts being the cylinders, the pistons, the connecting rods, the

centrally disposed bearing ring9 supporting the same and the ily-wheel 8. A few other parts hereinafter to be mentioned are also adapted to rotate with the cylinders and the pistons but the clutch disk 6 and the standards supporting the same are always stationary, regardless .of whether the enginev is running in one direction or another.

- The arms supporting the cylinders 16 are, as previously stated, supported by the roller bearings 14. They are so arranged that four arms, one for each cylinder, each side of the clutch disks 6 and the fly- Wheel 8. The arms indicated at 15a are provided with passages 15b, through, which the explosive mixture is conve ed to the cylinders.4 The arms 15a are al arrangedon one side so that they rotate about the stationary hub memberj. The opposite hub member 4 supports a similar numberof arms, indicated at 15. These-are also pirovided with central passages, as indicated at 15d, through which the exhaust gases are discharged, as will hereinafter be described.

By referring to Fig. 14, it will be seen that each cylinder casting is centrally divided by a head'member 17 to form two. separate cylinder 2chambers. .,Further, that for the reception of exhaust and inlet valves, as indicated at 18 and 19 respectively, said a chamber is formed below each cylinder exhaust valves serving the purpose of open- V'offset with relation to each other.

are disposed on ing and closingl communication between the cylinders and the passages 15d formed in the arms l5c while the inlet valves 19 serve the function of opening and closing communication' between the cylinders and the passages 15b formed in arms 15.

By referring to Fig. 15, it will be seen that the inlet and exhaust valves are slightly This is resorted to for the purpose of permitting the valve stems supporting the valves, to engage separate cam rings, as will hereinafter be described. The invention shown in the present instance employs four separate cam rings, a pair of inlet valve cam rings on one side of the central bearing ring and a pair of exhaust valve cam rings on the opposite side of the central bearingring, said cam rings being shown in cross section in Figs. 8, 9 and 14 and in plan view in Fig. 15. Cam rings arranged on one side are supported upon outwardly projecting segmental flanges 23 and 24, the flanges 23 forming a part of the piston arms while the flanges 24 forni a part of the cylinder supporting arms. The cam rings arranged on the opposite side of the central bearing ring are slmilarly supported, that is, segmentalshaped projecting flanges 23 and 24 are also formed on this side. The several cam rings are indicated at 25,26, 27 and 28. All cam rings are so mounted that they may freely turn on their respective segmental bearing supports and they are furthermore freely turnable with relation to each other. They may therefore be termed floating cam rings even though they are positively actuated, as will hereinafter beJ described. The cam ring 25, is provided for the purpose of opening and closin the inlet valves shown in the cylinders in icated at 29, 30, 31 and 32. The' cam ring 26 is provided for the purpose of opening and closing the inlet valves disposed in the opposite c linders indicated at 33, 34, 35 and 36. he cam ring 27 is provided for the pur ose of opening and closing the exhaust val ves mounted in the cylinders 29, 30, 31 and 32 while the camring 28 is provided for the purpose of opening'the exhaust valves in the opposite cylinders. In other rwords, cam rings 25 and 26 will only actuate inlet valves .while the cam rings-127 'and 28 will only actuate -exhaust valves. r This arrangement is entirely due to. the fact that the incoming mix` one or another of the cam rings described,-

and each valve beingk normally retalned on valves, one for each cylinder, each valve being provided with a stem engageable wlth its seat by means of springs, as indicated at 37, said springs being carried by the cylinder supporting arms and being of the fiat spring type. This feature does, however, not form any important part of the present invention as coil or other suitable springs.

might be provided if desired.

The valves are all radially disposed with relation to the center of rotation and are therefore, to a considerable extent, subjected to the centrifugal force produced when the engine is rotating. This is of considerable importance as it materially relieves the respective cam rin s of wear. The first cam. ring shown in` ig. 14 and indicated by the numeral 25, will only open the inlet valves communicating with the cylinders indicated at 29, 30, 31 and 32. lTwo of these valves will open in unison and the opposite two will also open in unison. This is of importance as cylinders 29 and 31 receive a charge while cylinders 30 and 32 arefiring. The several cam rings employed are identical. in construction and the description of one should therefore suiiice for all. Each cam ring is provided with a plurality of projecting cams'mounted in alinement with the valve stems. These cams have the general shape of the teeth of a ratchet gear, the only difference being that they are spaced apart by 4flat sections, as indicated at 38, the length of each fiat section being equal to the length of a cam and the length of a cam being in turn equal to the circumferential movement of the central bearing ring during the complete stroke of a pair of pistons; that is, an inlet valve, during the suction stroke `ofits coperating piston, will begin to open the moment the piston starts its outward movement and it will not close until .the piston reaches the end of its outward stroke as each cam is of sufficient length to retain the valve away vfrom its seat until the outward stroke of; the piston has been completed. It will therefore drop off the endof the cam which is abrupt as here shown, and vwill instantly seat itself, the shape of the cams being such 'that a slow opening of each valve is obtained while an instantaneous closing thereof is secured, this movement being true of both exhaust and inlet valves as the cam rings are identical in shape.`

The number of cams' employed by each ring depends entirely u on the size of the engine but the length o each cam must in any instance be equal to the circumferential movement of the piston arms on a line parallel with the cam rings. The length of the spaces between the cam projections musty also be similar as it is necessary that two inpistons.

let valves remain closed during the firing stroke of their respective cylinders while the opposite two valves open to admit a new -charge to the opposite cylinders. The

valves are therefore set in such Va manner that two are positioned toy be engaged by cam projections While the opposite two will ymerely r-ide over the intermediate spaces formed between th'e cam teeth and thus rei main closed, this seating of the valves and the relation of the cams theretobeing simi lar in all instances, whether it be the ex vhaust or the inlet valves.

From the foregoing description it can be seen that means must be provided for turn-v ing the cam rings so that the cams carried thereby may pass under the valve stems and thereby raise the same. This movement must also be intermittent as the engine here Y shown operates on the four-cycle principle.

Movement is transmitted to the respective cam rings by the istons, said movement beeach side of a piston arm, the pawls -40 being provided for the purpose of transmitting movement to the cam ring 25 while the pawls 41 areprovided for the purpose of transmitting movement to the cam ring 36. l

Thel pawls arranged on the opposite side are similar in operationas one set of pawls transmit movement to the ring 27, While the other set of pawls transmit movement to the ring 28.

To more clearly illustrate the movement of the cam rings, the pistons from which the movement is transmitted, and also the movement of the cylinders,'it must first be assumed that the engine (see Figs. 14, 17, 18 and 19) is rotating in the direction of arrow a. It must further be assumed that the pistons inthe cylinders 29, 30,31 and 32 are also moving in thejdirection of arrow a and that cylinders 29 and 31 are receiving the explosive charge while the cylinders 30 and 32 are firing their charge. It is therefore necessary that the cam ring, during its movement, opens,v the inlet valves in the cylinders 29 and 3l to permit the charges to be admitted and that the inlet valves in the cylinders 30 and -32 remain closed as/the cylinders are firing' their charges/' The during the movement of the pistons 1n the direction of arrow a, engag/e/ with ratchet teeth 45 formed on the cam ring 25 and thereby turn it in the sanfe direction as the The cams in register with the inlet valves in the cylinders 29 and 31, will therefore passxunder the respective inlet valves and thereby open the same during this movement. The inlet valves in the las cylinders 30 and 32 will, however, not be' ai'ected by the turning movement of the cam ring as they are in register with the intermediate spaces, and no movement will therefore be transmitted to the same.

After the pistons have reached the end of their stroke when traveling in the direction of arrow a, it must be assumed that cylinders 29 and 31ahave been completely charged with an explosive mixture and that the charges fired in the 'cylinders 30 and 32 have move toward the pistons' contained therein and will therefore compress the charges previously admitted;y similarly, the cylinders 30 and 32 move toward their respective pistons, thus expelling the burned.

charges. The charges, when compressed in the cylinders 29 .and 31, will now be fired,

thus causing the pistons in their cylinders to advance in the direction of arrow a. The pistons in the cylinders 30 and 32 will also advance, thereby causing new charges-to be admitted to said cylinders, which will be compressed when the. chargesin the cylinders 29 and 3l are exhausted. The inlet valves in the cylinders 29' and 3() are only opened when the cams formed on the ring 25 are in the right position and only when the ring is turned by means of the pawls 40. The inlet valves containedin the cylinders 33, 34, 35 and 36 are only opened by means of the cams formed on the ring 26 and by referring to Fig. 14 it will be seen that the position of the cams on said ring isvdirectly opposite to the cams formed on ring 25. Further, pawls 41 are reversed with relation to the pawls 40 and will therefore only engage the teeth formed on ring 26. This is of considerable importance as it permits reversal of the engine and equal power production whether the engine is turning in one direction or the other.

The pawls 40 and 41 are, as previously stated, pivotally mounted. They are normally maintained in engagement with their respective ratchet teeth, which are formed on all cam rings, by means tof springs 46. interposed between theupper ends of the'.

pawl arms, as lshown in Fig. 14.*A The pawls 40 will turn the cam ring 25 when the engine is turning in the direction of arrow a, as they engage the abrupt ends of the ratchet teeth associated therewith. They will, however, slide over the ratchet teeth when the engine 1s turning in the opposlte direction other.

and will therefore only serve as stopy members to secure the cam Lring against movement when the engine is turning in the opposite direction.

y Suppose that'the engine is turning in a direction opposite to that indicated by arrow a. The question might arise as to whether or not the cam ring 25 could operate to lift the inlet valves actuated thereby. The cam ring will operate said inlet valves, due to the fact that it is locked against movement by means of the pawls 40 when the engine is turning in the opposite direction. instance, movement of the cylinders in a direction opposite to arrow a will cause the stems of the inlet valve to ride over the cams and open the same, due to the fact that the rings are held'stationary by the pawls 40. Only two of the valves will open as two valves will be in position to be open while the opposite two valves will be in register with the intermediate spaces between the teeth and will therefore not be open as they will only move from one end, of said space to the opposite end. They will then be in readiness to be opened during the next movement of the engine. This is the reason for arranging the cams in one direction on ring 25 and in the opposite direction on ring 26. In other words, when the engine is turning in the direction of arrow a, cam ring 25 willbe intermittently turnedby means of pawl 40 while cam ring 26 will be secured. against movement by means of the pawls 41. Conversely, if reverse movement takes place, pawls 40 will serve as stop members to secure ring 2 5 against movement while awls 4l will engage the teeth of the cam ring 26 and thereby alternately move the same.

Hence it can be seen that the engine may rotate in either one direction or another and that this may be accomplished without providing a double-cam arrangement for each set of valves.

When the engine is operating it is understood that it rotates in one direction or an- During said rotationv it is obvious that means must be provided for locking the pistons and cylinders against reverse movement; for instance, referring to Fig. 14, if a charge is being fired in the cylinders 30 and 32, itis obvious that the cylinders must be locked `against reverse movement the moment the charge is fired so that the pressure created may drive the pistons in the direction of arrow' a; similarly, if charges are fired in the cylindersv indicated at 33 and 35, then itl is necessary to lock the pistons against reverse movement as the pressure created will in that instance drive the cylinders in the direction of arrow a. Further, it is obvious that if the engine is reversible as far as rotation'is concerned, then a locking or clutch mechanism must For ico

be provided, which is reversible. To accomplish the end desired, I provide a,novel form of clutching mechanism known as the roller clutch, said clutch being clearly 'illustrated 'in my patent entitled Roller clutch, issued March 1, 1919, PatentNo.-

1,296,345. The roller clutches vprovided in the present instance are identical .to those shown in the patent referred to, the only difference being that they are double in arrangement to permit reversal of the engine and reverse operation of the roller clutches.

By referring to Figs. 8, 9 and 14, it will be seen that I provide two pair of roller clutches on each piston arm; similarly, that v I provide two pair of roller clutches on each rim of the clutch disks 6, the roller clutchesengaging said disks serving the function of locking the pistons and cylinders against retrograde movement when turning in eone `direction while the roller clutches engaging the face of the ily-wheel rim are provided for the purpose of` transmitting the movement of the pistons and cylindersy to rotate the ily-wheel and the shaft 7 supporting the same.

A more detailed construction ofy the roller clutches is shown in Figs. 11 and 12. Each roller clutch consists of three rollers, indicated at 52, 53 and 54. All rollers are turnably mounted in a bracket such as shown at 55, the rollers 53 and 54 being mounted in slots to permit the same to forcibly engage the ily-wheel rim and the roller 52 when transmitting power to the fly-wheell or to forcibly engage the roller 52 and the clutch ldisks 6 when locking the pistons and' cylinpose itself between the clutch disk rim and the roller 52 and thereby form a lock.

AAs previously stated, four roller clutches are mounted in alinement. The two inner roller clutches engaging the ily-wheel rim will'always operate in unison while .the outside clutches engaging the, clutch disks rims will also` operate in unison. verse positions of the respective roller clutches will always be assumed as the inoutwardly in Further, re-

ner roller clutches are transmitting power to the fly-wheel rim wliile .the outermost roller clutches are engaging the clutch disks for the purpose of locking the pistons and cylinders against retrograde movement when rotating in a certain direction. If it is desired to reverse the direction of the engine, it is obviousthat the position of the respective roller clutches must be changed. Furthermore, that all clutches should be operated in unisonas there are eight sets employed in the present instance, there being four separate roller clutches in each set, one pair. of each set being arranged on one side of the central bearing ring and another pair on the opposite side, as shown in Figs. 4, 8 and 9.

To quickly and readily change the position of the roller clutches, I provide a laterally movable rod 56 (see Figs. 2, 3 and 4). This rod is tubular in formation (see Fig. 3), and is provided with a ,series of angularly disposed slots 56', slots assuming the same angular-position and the two outermost slots a reverse position. Entering the slots formed in the rod 56 are pins 57. These pins form parts of the brackets 55, in which the rollers 52, 53 and 54 of the respective roller clutches are turnably mounted. In other words, lateral movement of a rod 55 in one direction or another will transmit a 4rocking movement to the coperating bracket 51,y this being due to the fact that the slots into which the pins 57 project, are '-.angularly disposed. There is one rod56 for each set of roller clutches and all rods-are moved inwardly or unison as they are in this instance attached to a disk 58 (see Fig. 8), which is slidably mounted on the stationary hub 5, said sliding movement being trans-l mitted thereto by means of a leverv59. Movement of the lever 59 in one direction will throw all the roller clutches into one position which permits the engine to rotate in one direction only while a reverse movement of the lever 59 will transmit movement to all `the roller clutches and change their position, thus permitting reversal of the engine.

Each cylinder employed in the present instance is provided with two spark plugs. circuit is closed through said spark plugs in unison whenever the proper cycle of operation arrives. This is accomplished by means of a mechanism generally indicated in Figs. 5 niaking and breaking the respective .circuits through the spark plugs at proper time periods and it is actuated by means of alcam ring similar to those previously described, said cam ring being shown at This ring is supported in -a manner similar to the other cam rings and is formed integral with ring 28. ',The cams formed thereon are also the two innermost 7 and 10. The mechanism is provided for similar in shape and in spacing. The circuit breaking and making mechanism is carrled by the piston arms 10 and consists of a plate.

'65, said arm being-only brought in o engagement with the extension 64 when the rocker arm is raised by means of one of the cams formed-on ring 60. lFig. 7 shows adiagrammatic view of the wirmg diagram. In this view it will be seen that the contact rods 63 are disposed on opposite sidesV of the piston arms and that they are connected by means of a rod or wire 66,.the oppositeA contact rods being directlyconnected with the.

spark plugs 67 by means of wires 68. Further, it can be seen that the spark plugs carried by the cylinder directly opposite are also connected in the circuit by means of the wires 69, this double-wiring connection being resorted to to positively insure the closing of a circuiteven thou h one of the rocker arms 62 employed migt fail to voperate. The rocker arms62 are always positioned opposite to each other. They furthermore operate in unison, thereby reducing the chances of mis-firing or not firing as the failure of one will be corrected by the operation of the other. For instance, one rocker arm might, under certain conditions, stick or otherwise fail to operate. This would not materially affect the operation of the engine in the .present instance las the functioning of one arm would be suicient to close the circuit through the proper spark plugs. -The current may be supplied from Aany suitable source. 45.L

One terminal of the circuit is connected with the engine frame while the opposite terminal is connected with an arm 70 on which is mounted a brush engageable with a contact ring 71 secured to the cylinder arms 15. A circuit is therefore established whenever a rocker armis raised into engagement with thev projection 64.- which forms ,part of the contact bar 63. Said circuit is, however, not completed until the contact bar engages one or anotherof a pair of stationary contacts disposed one on each side thereof, as indicated at 72 (see Fig. l0). The contact bar 63 engages one or another o the stationarycontacts during the oscillating movement of the cylinders and pistons with relation to each other but'the circuit is not completed until the coperating rocker arm 62 is raised by means of the cam ring 60 and as this does not take place before the piston reaches the end of its stroke, it can readily be seen that complete expansion of one firing charge is permitted before a second or succeeding charge will be fired. This is of great importance in the present instance as it positively insures a complete movement of the cylinders and pistons with relation to each other during each cycle of operation.

By referring to Figs. 8 and 9 it will be seen that the yinner ends of the cylinder supporting arms 15 and 15c terminate in hub members, cach of which is provided with an annular passage communicating with the passages formed in the respective arms. This is also an important feature of the present invention as it permits admission of the combustible mixture from a central point and exhausting ol the burned gases through a central connection. Secured on the stationary hub 'member 15 adjacent the hub from which the cylinder supporting arms 15 radiate is a circular casing 80 in which is forme -an annular chamber.

This, casing is stationary but is in constant communication with the annular chamber formed inthe adjacent hub b means of ports 81. A carbureter or ot er suitable gas supplying means may therefore be connected to the casi-ng 80 as this is stationary, hence providing a ready means for supplying the explos1ve mixture required. Secured on the opposite hub member 4 is a similar casing 82, in which is formed an annular chamber. This casing is adjacent the hub from which the cylinder sup ,orting arms 15c radiate. The annular c amber formed in the casing is in constant communication with the annular chamber formed in the adjacent hub and therefore permits the exhaust gases discharging Y through the arms, to enter the chamber in the casing 82. They may be Vdischarged from this casing through an exhaust p1 e 83 and can be conveyed to any point esired. By referring'to Figs. 8 and 9 it should be obvious that a running joint is formed between the casings 80 and 82 and the respective hub members in which the cylinder supporting arms terminate. A running joint of this nature may be packed, if desired, but as such a construction does not form any material part of the present invention, a showing thereof has been omitted. y j

In actual operation, if it is desired to start the engine, it may be accomplished by merely rocking the pistons with relation to the cylinders until one or more of the same become charged with an explosive mixture. An extreme rocking movement is then imparted, causinga circuit to be closed and one or more charges to be fired. Ro-

ture is admitted, the speed being regulated A arrow a (see Figs.v 14, 17, 18 and 19), it

freely turnable on the shaft 88, which isdriven by an electric motor 89 or any other suitable means. Keyed and slidably mounted on the shaft is a clutch member 90 which may be thrown intoor out of engagement withV the' eccentric 87v whenever it 1s desired to operate the starting mechanism or the piston mounted therein.

Formed as a part of the cylinder 85 is a casing inl which Vareiformed twoassages 91 and 92, the passages 9.1 an Y 92 being connected with a carbureter of suitable construction by means of an extension 93. Mounted in the upper end of the cylinder are a pair of check valves 94 and 95 and mounted in passage 91 is a valve4 96 which may be opened and closed by means of the clutch operating lever 97.

The device as a whole is connected with the casing 80 by means of' an extension 98- and it operates as follows: If it is desired to start the engine with the starting mechanism shown, it is only necessary to start the motor 89 and to engage the clutch 90 so that reciprocal movement will be transmitted to iston 86 b y means of the eccentric 87.1 eciprocal` movement of the piston will alternately open and close the check valves 94 and 95; in other words,

pump in a mixture which is regulated by means of the carbureter. This mixture is delivered through the connection 98 to the casing 8O and passes under pressure from the casing-and through thearms 15Il to the cylinders, thus charging the same with an explosive mixture under pressure. The

pressure exerted on the mixture by means of the. pump or piston 86 will gradually `force one or more of the pistons in the cylinders apart until a complete stroke of the sameis reached. The electric circuit will thus be closed and the charge fired, thus starting the engine. The clutch 90 is immediately released b meansof the lever 97; valve -96 is" simu taneously raised, away from .its seat, thus permitting the mixture supplied by the carbureter to' pass through the connection 93, passage 92, then by valve 96 and. connection 98, into the casing, the admission of the mixture being thereafter controlled by the suction of the respective pistons.

To thoroughly understand the operationv of' the engine when revolving in'a certain direction; for instance, that indicated by is onlynecessary to assume that all pisltonsare moved in unison and that all cylinders are moved inunson and that the movement between the pistons and the cylinders is intermittent; that is, all pistons Y will first advance in the direction of the arrow a (see Fig. 17), until their complete stroke has been completed. The cylinders will then move up to the pistons or away from the same, as the case vmay be (sec Fig. 19). They will here stop and the pistons will again move up to or away from `their respective cylinders. This movement is the actual operation that takes place, the only difference being that all parts are revolving but the intermittentv movement of y the cylinders with relation to the pistons takes place during the revolving movement; that is, they are constantly catching up and then running away, with relation to each other when revolving, retrograde movementl of the pistons or the cylinders with relation to each other, when la charge is fired being prevented as' they are positively locked against reverse movement when revolving in a certain direction, by roller clutches previously described.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent isf 1. A rotating internal combustion engine comprising a central stationa` bearing support, a plurality of cylin ers turnably mounted about said support, a piston carrier also mounted on and turnable about said support, a plurality of pistons secured on said carrier, one for each cylinder, means for admitting a motive fluid to each cylin- -der and to exhaust it therefrom, a driving shaft extending through the central bearing support, and means for transmitting movement of the cylinders and pistons to rotate the shaft.

' 2. A rotating internal combustion englne comprising a centrall stationary bearing support, a plurality of cylinders turnably` either direction, said means preventing ret-- rograde movement of the cylinders and pistons when revolving in either direction, a

driving shaft'extending through the central bearing support, and means for transmltting the movement of the cylinders and pistons to rotate the shaft.

3. A rotating internal combustion engine comprising a central stationary bearing support, a plurality of cylinders turnably mounted about said support, a' piston carrier also mounted onand turnable about said support, a plurality of pistons secured on said carrier, one for each cylinder, an exhaust and an inlet valve mounted in each cylinder, means for delivering an explosive mixture thereto, means for igniting the mixture, inwardly projecting valve stemsformed on each valve, a'plurality of rings turnably mounted about the centralbearing support, one for each set of valves, a plurality of cams oni each ring'adapted to raise and lower the valves, and means actuated by the pistons for transmitting movement to the'rings. 4

4. A rotating internal combustion engine comprising a central stationar bearing support, a plurality of cylin ers turnably mounted about said support, a shaft journaled in and extending through said central bearing support, a fly-wheel secured on said shaft, a piston carrier journaled on the iiywheel and turnable thereabout, a plurality of istons supported by the carrier, one for eac cylinder, and means for transmitting the movement of the pistons and the cylinders to rotate the fiy-wheel and the shaft supporting the same.

5. A rotating internal combustion engine comprising a central stationary bearing sup'- port, a plurality of cylinders turnably mounted about said support, a shaft journaled in and extendingthrough said central bearing support, a {ly-wheel secured on said shaft, a piston carrier journaled on the iiy- Wheel and turnable thereabouat, a plurality of pistons supported by the carrier, one

for each cylinder, and means permitting revolving movement of the cylinders and pistons, means to cause the movement of the pistons and cylinders to revolve in either direction, said means adapted to transmit the movement of thepistons and cylinders to rotate the fly-Wheel and the shaft supporting the fsame.

6. A rotating internal combustion ,engine comprising a central stationar bearing support, a plurality of cylin ers turnably mounted about said support, aishaft` journaled in and extending through said central bearing support, a fly-wheel secured on'said shaft, a piston carrierjournal'ed on the ilywheel and turnable thereabout, a plurality of pistons supported by the carrier, one for each cylinder, means permitting revolving movement of the cylinders and pistons, means to cause the movement of the pistons and cylinders to revolve in either direction,

said means adapted to transmit the movement of the pistons and cylinders to rotate the fly-wheel and the shaft supporting the same, and a pair of stationary clutch disks secured to the central bearing support, one on each side of the fly-wheel, said 4disks adapted to coperate with the cylinder and piston power-transmitting means to lock the cylinders and the pistons against retro rade movement when revolving in either direction.

7. A` rotating internal combustion engine comprising a central stationary bearing support, a pluralit of cylinders turnably mounted about sai naled in and extending through said central bearing support, a fly-Wheel secured on said shaft, a piston carrier journaled on the flywheel and turnable thereabout, a plurality of pistons supported by the carrier, one for each cylinder, a clutch disk disposed on each .side of the ily-wheel and secured with relation to the central bearing support, and a pluralitybf clutch rollerscarried by the ogllnders and the piston carrier engagea le with the {1y-wheel and the clutch disks, said clutch rollers adapted to transmit the movement of the c linders and the istons to rotate the fly-w eel and the sha t supporting the'same. Y

8. A rotating internal combustion engine comprising a central stationary bearing support, a plurality of cylinders, turnably mounted about said sup rt, -a shaft journaled in and extending t rdugh said central support, a shaft jour-Q bearing support, a ily-wheel secured on said Y l shaft, a piston carrier jourlialed on the flywheel and turnable thereabout, a plurality of pistons supported by the carrier, one for each cylinder, a clutch disk disposed on each side of the fly-wheel and secured with relation to the central bearing support, and a plurality of double acting reversible clutch rollers carried by the cylinders and by the piston carrier, said rollers being engageable lwith the clutch disks and the `fly-wheel to transmit the movement of the pistons and the cylinders to rotate the fly-wheel and the shaft supported thereb `in either direction and to lock the cylin ers and the pistonsl against retrograde movement when reyolving in either direction.

9. A rotating internal combustion engine comprising a central stationary bearing support, a plurality of cylinders turnably mounted about said support, a shaft journaled `in and extending through said cen-4 vand to lock the cylinders and the pistons ing in either direction,

against retrograde movement when revolv- 4and manually operated means for reversing the position of the double acting clutch rollers to permit reversal of the engine. n

10. A rotating internal combustion engine comprising a central stationary bearing support,

a plurality -of cylinders turnably mounted about said support, a shaft journaled in and extending through said cen` tral bearing support, a fly-wheel secured on said shaft, a piston carrier journaled on the fly-Wheel and turnable thereabout, a plurality of pistons supported by the carrier, one for each cylinder, a clutch disk disposed on each side of the fly-Wheel and secured with relation to the central bearing support, a

plurality of double acting reversible clutch ated means reversing the position of all the Wheel an double acting clutch rollers in unison to permit reversal of the engine.

I11. A rotating internal combustion engine comprising a central stationary bearing support, a plurality of cylinders turnably mounted about said support, a shaft journaled in and extending through said central bearing support, a fly-Wheel secured onsaid shaft, a piston carrier journaled on the fly- Wheel and turnable thereabout, a plurality of pistons supported by the carrier, one for each cylinder, an inlet and an exhaust valve communicating with each cylinder, an inwardly projecting valve stem attached to each valve, a plurality of rings supported by the piston carrier and freely turnable thereon, one ring for each set of valves, cam members on each ring engageable with the valve stems to open and close the valves, and means actuated bythe movement of the piston carrier for transmitting a turning movement to the respective rings.

12. A rotating internal combustion engine comprising a central stationary bearing support, a plurality of cylinders turnably mounted about Said support, a'shaft journaled in and extending through said central bearing support, a ily-Wheel secured on said shaft, a iston carrier journaled on the flyd turnable thereabout, a plurality of pistons supported by the carrier, one for each cylinder, an inlet and an exhaust valve communicating with each cylinder, an vinwardly projecting valve stem. attached to each valve, a plurality ofrings supported by the piston carrier and freely turnable the piston carrier,

`the piston carrier, yrespective rings engageable to thereon, one ring for each set of valves, cam members on each ring engageable with the valve stems to open and close the valves, means actuated bythe movement of the pistou carrier for transmitting a turning movement to the' respective rings, said means comprising spring-actuated pawls carried by the piston carrier, and ratchet teeth formed on each ring with which said each cylinder', an inlet and an exhaust valve communicating with each cylinder, an inwardly projecting valve stem attached to each valve, a plurality of rings supported by the piston carrier and freely turnable thereon, one ring for each setlot valves, cam members on' each ring engageable with the valve stems to open and close the valves, means actuated by the movement of the piston carrier for transmitting a turning movement to the respective rings, said means comprising spring-actuated pawls carried by ratchet teeth formed on each ring with which said paWls are adapted to engage, a pair ofspark plugs in each cylinder, 'a cam ring supported by and turnably mounted on the piston carrier, and means actuated by said last named cam ring for making or breaking the circuit' through the spark plugs.

14. In an engine of the character described, the combination with a piston carrier and the cylinders, of an inlet valve and an exhaust valve carried by and communicating With each cylinder, a ring for each set of valves carried by and turnably mounted on the piston carrier, cam members on each ring adapted to open and close the respective valves, and means on the piston carrier adapted to alternately transmit a turning movement to the rings.

15. In an engine of the character ydescribed, the combination with a piston carrier andthe cylinders, of an inlet valve and an exhaust valve carried by and communieating with each cylinder, a ring for each set of valves carried by and turnably mounted on the piston carrier, cam members om each ring'adapted to open and close the respective valves, a pair' of sprmg-actuated pawl members ivotally mounted on an ratchet teeth on the with which the pawls are intermittently transmit a turning movement to each ring.

16.`In an engine of the character de` scribed, the combination with the piston carrier and the cylinders, of a pair of spark plugs mounted in each cylinder, a ring supported by and turnably mounted on the piston carrier, a plurality of cams formed on said ring, a rocker arm supported on the `piston carrier and engageable with the cam members on the ring, said rocker arm adapted to be raised and lowered by thecams, and means actuated by said movement 'of the rocker arm for making or breaking a circuit through the spark plugs.

17. A rotating internal combustion engine comprising a central stationary bearing support, a plurality of cylinders arranged to rotate about said support, hub members journaled and turnable about said support, arms radiating from said hub members to support the cylinders, a shaft extending through the bearing support and journaled therein, a fly-wheel secured on the said shaft and turnable therewith, a piston carrier journaled upon the fly-wheel and turnable thereabout, a plurality of pistons secured to said carrier, one for each cylinder, passages formed in the cylinder supporting arms and the hubs to which they are attached, and means coperating therewith for admitting and exhausting a motive fluid to each cylinder.

18. A rotating internal combustion engine comprlsmg a central stationary bearing support, a plurality of cylinders arrangedl to rotate about said support, hub Ymembers journaled and turnable about said support, arms radiating from said hub members to suppurt the cylinders, a shaft extending through the bearingsupport and journaled therein, a fly-wheel secured on the said shaft and turnable therewith, a piston .carrier Journaled upon the {1y-wheel and turnable thereabout, a plurality of pistons secured to sald carrie-r, one for each cylinder, an inlet and an exhaust valve communicating with each cylinder, ,a cam ring for each set of valves supported by and turnable about the piston carrier, means on the piston carrier for transmitting an intermittent movement to said cam rings to open and close said valves, passages formed in the cylinder supporting arms communicating with the valvesand the cylinders, and means coperating with sald arms for delivering an explosive mixture.

19. A rotating internal combustion engine comprlsmg a central stationary bearing support, a plurality of cylinders arranged to rotate about said support, hub members journaled and turnableabout said support, arms radiating from said hub members to support the cylinders, a shaft extendin through the bearin support and journale therein, a ily-whee secured on the Said shaft and turnable therewith, a piston carrier 'our- 65 naled upon the fly-wheel and turnable t ereabout, a plurality of pistons secured to said carrier, one for eaclr cylinder, an inlet and an exhaust valve communicatmg with each cylinder, a cam ring for each set of valves supported by and turnable about the piston carrier, means on the piston carrier for transmitting an intermittent movement to said cam rings to open and close said valves, passages formed in the cylinder supporting arms communicating with the valves and the cylinders, means cooperating with said arms for delivering an explosive mixture, a pair of spark plugs carried by each cylinder, and meansactuated by the piston carrier for making or breaking a circuit therethrough.

20. A rotating internal combustion engine comprising a central stationary bearing support, a plurality of cylinders arranged to rotate about said support, hub members journaled and turnable about sai'd support,

arms radiating from said hub members to.

. an inlet and. an exhaust .valve communicating with each cylinder, a cam ring foreach setv of valves supported by and turnable about the piston carrier, means on the piston carrier for transmitting an intermittent movement to said cam rings to open and close said valves, passages formed in the cylinder supporting arms -communicating' wlth the valves and the cylinders, means coperating with said arms for delivering an explosive mixture, a pair of spark plugs carried by each cylinder, means actuated by the piston carrier for making or breaking a circuit therethrough, and a series o double acting clutch rollers carried b the cylinders and the piston carrier, sai double acting clutch rollers permitting reversal of the engine and also permitting transmission of power from the cylinders and pistons to the fly-wheel when traveling in either direction, and also locking the cylinders andpistons against retrograde movement when rotating in either direction.

21. In an engine of the character de` disks on the other side for transmittin movement of the cylinders to the fly-whee regardless of either direction -of rotation, said means also adapted to lock the cylin- Kde'rs and-piston carrier against retrograde `lnovement regardless of the dlrectlon of roi stationary clutch disk-arranged on each side oi thc fly-wheel, means interposed between vthe cylinders and the piston carrier on one side and 4the fiy-'wheel and clutch disks on the other side for transmitting movement of thecylinders to the fly-wheel regardless of either direction .of rotation, said means also adapted to lock the cylinders and piston carrier against retrograde movement regardless of the direction of rotation of the same, said. means comprising a plurality of sets of double acting clutch rollers, said clutch rollers engaging the surface of the fly-wheel and the surface of the clutch disks, and means for reversingr the position ofv all the clutch rollers in unison.

23.` A rotating ionternal combustion vengine comprising a central stationary bearing support, a plurality of cylinders turnably mounted about said support, a piston carrier lalso mounted on and )turnable about said support, a plurality of pistons secured on said carrier, one for each cylinder, said pistons revolving in unison .and said cylinders revolving in unison, said pistons having a lagging and forward movement during Atheir contlnuous rotation with respect to the rotating movement of the cylinders, and

means for admitting a motive fluid to each cylinder and ,to exhaust it therefrom.

1n testimony whereof I have hereunto set mv hand in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

JASPER J. WALK.

Witnesses: i

W. W. HEALEY, M. E. EWING. 

